Delhi's AQI satisfactory as fossil fuel emission declines

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Air pollution in the national capital region stood in the "satisfactory" category, with 60 per cent reduction in nitrogen dioxide poisonous gas.Tiny particles in air known as PM2.5 were docked at 47, while PM10 stood at 92 in the "satisfactory" category."The ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 has declined significantly indicating missing sources of fossil fuel emissions and enhanced role of natural summer dust," stated an advisory issued by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).The advisory further stated that high surface winds are likely to continue and lifting of local dust is expected. "The coarse dust particles (PM10) will be the lead pollutant," it added.The quality of air was in the "good" category last week, but spiked on March 6 after people burst crackers to "challenge the darkness" as a sign of participation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for switching off lights and lighting diyas and lamps to fight against the coronavirus crisis.Meanwhile, AQI in Pune, Ahmedabad and Mumbai was docked in the "satisfactory" category at 66, 119 and 81, respectively.
--IANS aka/skp/